Creativity Reigns

Zilla is 7 years old 

Mega is 5 years old

Lesson: Creativity Reigns!

 For many reasons we have very few electronic toys. The kids get nearly no iPad time and they don't have videos games. They know these things exist but are very happy with boxes, yarn and legos. 

In a recent cleaning spree I came across one of our old laptops that no longer works. Since the kids don't get computer time I thought they may enjoy the old laptop.

Their creativity is stronger than the power cord. Even without the laptop turning they still enjoy "playing" computer games. Listening to them play you'd never know the thing no longer turns on! 

Morning Well Spent

We've been busy getting Zilla into his new school routine which often has left Mega craving attention. She truly misses playing with him before/after school. I've been trying to be more intentional about setting aside time to play following her lead. Today she decided we'd build. There are so many lessons that can be learned from a morning spent playing with Legos. Fine motor skills, creativity, math skills... It is a classic activity for a reason!

Backyard Beach

There is a show in Disney Channel called Phineas and Ferb.
When I first saw the show I couldn't get past the style of animation - it is not my preferred style.
Somehow, my kids got hooked on the show so I gave it a 2nd chance.

The basic story line of the show is that 2 brothers, Phineas and Ferb, try to find interesting ways to spend their summer vacation.  They have very active imaginations and are pretty intelligent so they have a number of adventures but each time they do something their sister, Candice, tries to catch them so she can tattle on them.

One thing the show has done is give my kids more inspiration for their play times.  They've also become fans of a few of the songs so we have them on the iPad to listen to.

Recently we had a few days at home (contagious sickness) when they felt good but we couldn't be around other people so when I let them out to play they were pretty bored as we don't have a yard and there is on so much you can do in our small "parking lot".

Then, inspiration struck.

If you look carefully you can see some palm trees drawn on the wall with chalk.  To the right of them is a sailboat and a sun.  On the ground we have an ocean tidal pool complete with starfish and other creatures.  With a bit of sand drawn on the kids decided they needed to all a blanket (which they are sitting on) and a picnic basket next to it.
Have you guessed what they created?
It's their very own Backyard Beach!

Since we'll have to wait a while before we can make it to a real beach this will have to do!

Heartfully Busy

There is a Japanglish/Engrish word - heartfully - which I have taken a liking to.  I think the English translation would be something like "full of heart/passion/feeling" but with these kinds of words it is hard to know for sure!
Over the past couple of weeks life has been busy so our schedule fell apart completely.  Part of it is my fault because I've been too tired to care.  It is easier to let the kids play freely than to make sure things are picked up, the activity shelf is organized and we stick to a routine.  Even in the midst of the chaos we've managed to "learn" some things!

A Valentin's Day snack/activity

"iChat" with...??? I think they started with "talking" to the grandparents and then  switched to various other relatives and friends!

Watching something on TV... most likely a couple of Valentine's Day specials (they were on DVD, not TV).

My grand plan was to have the kids make cards.  The kids had about 30 minutes of interest and then they were so over it!  Next time I'll have them make 1 card and then copy it to send to everyone.  The other problem is that I haven't sent any of the cards yet! Oops...

Zilla's new book of mazes.  The geographic theme goes well with the world map on the wall.

Their first "kids only" movie time - Whinnie the Pooh - and popcorn!

 Amazingly the pencils in the pringles can is still a popular activity!

Mega love to pour things.  Here she is pouring pompoms from a plastic bottle into a bowl. 

The train is always a favorite.  It seems like each month they get a little closer to being able to play with it together with minimal fighting.  Right now the biggest challenge is helping Mega to be aware of where her body is and how it can break apart the track!

Dress-up Box

Zilla is 3 years old

Miss Mega is 11 months old

A couple of weeks ago Miss Mega came across some old head scarves while I was cleaning.  She took to them right away and started signing "hat".  About the same time Zilla got a new pair of shoes so "shoe" was her next sign.  She signs it so fast though that I have yet to catch it on video.

This in the kitchen.  I put magnets on the back of a plastic mirror and stuck it on the fridge at Miss Mega's height.  This way she can see what she looks like with the hat on.

 A couple of days later we got out the dress-up box from the closet.  It is filled with old items from our closet which the kids can use for play.  Most of the hats in the box come from Ikea.

Miss Mega the Native American Princess doctor 

Miss Mega the lost Viking Queen 

Here is our dress-up box.  I have about 14 boxes this size in the closet.  About half of them have labels so far.  The label is an index card with the name of the items which go in the box as well as a drawing or stickers showing what goes in the box.  This allows everyone to know where things go as well as promotes reading... and helps to keep the closet clean!

This boy is busy!  He has races to run, traffic to direct and shopping to do. 

With a plastic mirror set up on the toddler table we have the perfect space for all the costume changes.  It was so nice to see these two playing peacefully side-by-side!

All Aboard!

Little Guy is 3 years and 2 months old

Little Lady is 4 months old

You are invited to ride on the Little Guy's train!
Little Lady gets to ride in the caboose.
The kids have been fighting the first colds of the seaon which means we are having more indoor time than normal.  The kitchen/dining room has been rearranged a number of times during the past week.  As you can see, a bit of creativity can keep them from getting bored!

Train on the Brain

During the past month we've had some great train experiences, including the chance to ride the shinkansen (bullet train). However, the experience that amazes me the most is seeing the leaps and bounds that have been made in train building at home.
At the beginning of the month the Little Guy started making simple circles by himself. Previously he always waited for help.


During the past week though he has expanded to larger loops and even including bridges.
I love the way this simple wooden set from Ikea has survived the past year.  It is one of those toys I could see keeping until we have grandkids one day!

2 of the Best Toys

For this past couple of weeks this has been a very common sight in our house.

Every evening and sometimes in the morning too the little guy asks for help setting up his train set.  It's a combination of sets from Ikea with Duplo Legos to provide tunnels with a few milk and juice carton tunnels thrown in.  Sometimes the cars come out to watch the train go by.
Running the trains on the tracks is a great fine motor skill exercise.  The magnets which connect the trains provide an introdution to the positive/negative ends of magnets.  There are also endless oppertunities for creative problem solving and role play.
With a small assortment of well chosen toys and a bit of imagination you can be entertained for hours!
~ Houdini

Play Dough 手作りプレイドー

Last week while cleaning out a closet I came across a bunch of clay that I have been saving for a rainy day. While the little guy was very excited and wanted to give it a try he had a tough time due to the hard consistency of the clay. We have solved the problem with homemade play dough.
Here is a simple recipe that I found online:
Easy Peasy No Cook Play Dough!
2 cups of plain flour ２カップ　フラワー　
4 tablespoons of ‘cream of tartar’　４大さじ　クリームオブタータ　
2 tablespoons of cooking oil　２大さじ　サラダ油
1 cup of salt　1カップ　塩
2 cups of boiling water　２カップ　お湯
Food coloring 食品着色料

Just pop it all in a mixing bowl and mix!
It might not come together at first, but keep on mixing, it will eventually take on that nice play doughey texture.
Try adding bits and pieces like glitter and sand to make it even more fun!

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We added food coloring and extract/essence to make a variety of colors and scents. After playing keep the play dough in an air tight container for next time!